Since 1968, Orange Amplifiers has been a cornerstone of British guitar tone, instantly recognisable by its vivid colour, bold design, and unmistakable sound. Founded by Cliff Cooper in a small shop in London’s West End, the brand has grown from its psychedelic origins into a global amplification powerhouse, from early success powering stages for artists like Fleetwood Mac to recent collaborations with Ed Sheeran. Celestion sat down with Cooper to discuss the fascinating origins of Orange, his groundbreaking amplifier designs, his leadership philosophy, and his enduring love for analogue sound.
Cooper’s journey into the audio industry began with his first job as a television engineer, providing him with a strong background in electronics. After his time playing in a band called The Millionaires—who had a number 12 hit record produced by the legendary Joe Meek—came to an end, Cooper concentrated entirely on his love of music, recording, and electronics. Looking to build a professional recording studio, he found a derelict shop with inexpensive rent in London’s West End.
To pay the bills, he painted the shop bright orange and started selling second-hand equipment, perfectly aligning with the hippie era. Because major brands initially wouldn’t supply his shop, Cooper eventually designed an amplifier of his own. Orange gained massive lift-off when Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac used Orange gear to record their number-one hit single Albatross. Soon after, Stevie Wonder tracked the legendary clavinet parts for Superstition using an early Orange tube amplifier.
Running a musical instrument shop, a booking agency, and a recording studio simultaneously gave Cooper a wide background that directly influenced Orange. “When we were designing different models of amplifiers, we understood exactly what the bands needed, which helped establish us as makers of amplifiers that simply sounded right,” he explains. Fast forward to today, Orange continues its legacy of collaboration and innovation, most recently working with Ed Sheeran on a range of high-quality acoustic busker amplifiers.
For more information, visit orangeamps.com.
